Golf tee



May 3, R' J, LYONS GOLF TEE Filed Jan. 5, 1928 5 d 7 0 i9 Z 25 L5] 25 Z] 20 6 v/ lve/2T f of? /WZQ itl Patented May 3, 1932 PATENT OFFICE RICHARD J. LYONS, OF MUNDELIEIN, ILLINIS GOLF TEE Application led January 5, 1928. Serial No. 244,635.

The invention relates generally to tee devices for golf balls and more particularly to those devices which are adapted to be permanently connected or aiiixed to the driving greens of golf courses.

Because of the hard usage to which driving greens are subjected, the turf or grass is quickly worn down until the greens are `unsuitable for play. Because of this, it is necessary to resod or rebuild the greens or to have two or more driving greens for each hole, one of which is to be used while the other is under the care of the keeper of the groimds. In either instance, great expense is incurred on the part of the club or person owning the course and the players are handicapped and put to considerable inconvenience.

@ne object of the present invention is to provide a tee device for golf balls which may he readily installed in a driving green or tee, as it is sometimes called, and eliminates the use of the turf or grass in connection with `the play, thereby rendering the green substantially permanent and minimizing the incidental upkeep expenses. In general, this device comprises a pan which is adapted to be imbedded in a driving green or tee and is shaped to hold a libre mat. The latter taires the place of the turf or grass which heretofore has been used in connection with the play and is removably secured to the pan so that it may be replaced when Worn. Beneath the mat and secured to the pan is a boxlilre receptacle across the upper portion of which extends a shaft. A plurality of golf ball holding members are rotatably mounted on this shaft. The upper ends of these members project through suitable openings in the pan and mat and the lower ends are weighted so that the members will normally assume a vertical position. The members are of different heights so that a player using the device may support the ball being played at any desired elevation. The device as a unit extends transversely with respect to the driving green to which it is aflixed and is adapted to be straddled during use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the tee members have limited universal movement. As a result of this construction or arrangement blows delivered at angles will not brealr the members.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide a device for the purpose hereinbefore specified which is of new and improved construction, is practically indestructible in that the tee members are pivotally supported, and consists of a comparatively small number of parts so that it may be produced at a low and reasonable cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and 'form a part of this speciication or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: Fig. 1 is a section of a driving green or tee which is equipped vwith a device embodying the invention. Fig. `2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device, parts being shown in elevation for purposes of illustration. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. Ll is a detail sectional view showing one of the fasteners for securing the mat in place on the pan.

The vention is exemplified in a tee device for golf balls, comprising a rectangular pan 5, the margins 6 of which are bent upwardly to forni a frame for receiving and securing in place on the pan a iibre mat 7. The pan is formed from plate of metal which is of of suilicient thickness to give the necessary rigidity to the pan. It is adapted to be imbedded or sunk in the top surface of a `driving green or tee so that the marginal frame and mat are flush with the turf. In this position the mat takes the place of the turf or grass which is removed during the installing operation.` The mat is preferably colored green to match or harmonize with the grass and is made of any coarse or durable fibrous material. To prevent accidental displacement of the mat, snap fasteners 8 are provided. rlhese fasteners are disposed at the corners of the device and comprise socket members 8a which are sewedtothebase 9 of the mat and. stud members 8b which are secured in any suitable manner to the pan. By means of these fasteners the mat is effectively held in place on thezpan andlprovision' is made whereby it may be removed readily when it is worn and replaced by a similar mat. By using the mat 7 the clubs which are used in driving from the device are' protected against contact withY the metal pan.

Disposedadjacentthe' under side of the pan 5 is an elongated box-like'receptacle consisting of a sheet metal body member 10 which comprises a bottom 11, sides' 12, and end wallsl; and a sheet metalfcoverlllwvhich comprises'atop 15 and depending side walls 16. The top 15 is welded or soldered to the under faceof the pan 5 so that the cover is removable from the :body member 10 by lifting. thepan. Thel side wallsV 16 fit against the inner faces of the sides-12 and serve. to support the-cover and pan-intheir operative positions. To normally maintain-the cover and body member in fixed relation, inwardly projecting studs 17 are struck inthe sides 12. These studs iit into holes or sockets 18 which are. formed in the side walls 16. The latter a-re of sufficient resiliency to permit. the sockets-to be vforced out of contact with the studs during separation of the cover' from the body member. The stud and socket con nections justI described exemplify quickly removable Vorl detachable means for effectively holding the cover and body member in fixed relation.

Af.longitudinallyextending shaft 19 is. arranged in close proximity to the` underside of the top l-and is held in place by a pair ofA brackets: 2O which are. secured by rivets 21 tothe ends. of the top l5. Theashaft19 is held in thesev brackets against.longitudinal displacement and rotation by means ofA set.

screws 22. A plurality of tee members 23 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 19. The

central portions of these members are' en- .larged to form hubs 24 through.r which the shaftextends.

The members 23 are provided with upwardly extending arms 25 which project through openings 26 and 27 which are formed respectively in the pan 5 and the mat 7. The upper or distal endsof thearms 25 are shaped -to form cups or rests 28 for receivlng and supporting golftballs ina position whereby they may be driven from the driving green.` rlhe arms 25 vary in height as indicated inv Fig. 2 so that av player using the .device'may support his ball at anyY desired elevation. vThe: rests 28zproject upwardly a.

Vsuiiicientdistance to lclear theupper surface/ of the mat 7. The openings 26 and 27 are elongated to permit the tee members to rotate about the shaft 19 when accidentally struck by a player. In addition to the arms 25, the tee members 23 are provided with downwardly extending arms 29, the outer portions of which are enlarged to form weights 30. rhese weightsoperate to normally maintain the teev members in a vertical or operative position. 'lhe tee members are preferably formed from. castings so that all parts thereof are integral, and of any suitable light and durable metal. Sleeves 31 are interposed between the members 23 to space them apart an'dfasten' themin alignment with the openings26 andf27.

During play, a player' willsometimes bring his club downiand strike the ball or'turf :at an angle.. To prevent suchactions from injuring the tee members, the openings inthe liubs 24' are. flared outwardly, as atv 31. As a result of. this construction or arrangement, the tee members have a more or less limited universal movement which permits them to give or tiit in response to angular blows.

Openings 32 are formedf in the bottom 11 to permit any'water which may accumulate in the receptacleto. drain.Y

The. device may be installed7 by diggingan elongated.holeinthe greento receive the receptacle and by removing. suiiicientV turf to accommodate. thepan 5. The latter .is disposed, as previously described, so that. the top' surface of the 'mat is-flush withthefturf or grass'.- Inthisfpos-itionithe mat. forms in effect apart oftheturf.- and harmonizes there with. lVli'en the device is to beV used, the player drivingfromthe green willgplace the ball on the restw-hicli-is at the desired,elevation. He-:theniWill-address the ball in the usualmanner, witlrhisfeet astride the device asindicatedV iirFig. 1l ofthe drawings. By having a transverse?seriesof'tee members it is incumbent'` upon: the player to straddle the device, thus making the player spread his feet aparta-sothatthey assume the proper position. In the event that the club should strike beneath the ball, the tee member upon whichthe ball is supported will-spin about shaft 19. In sodoingiinjuryto the cluban'd tee member is avoided.`v

If's'andordirtfshould'accumulate in tlie receptacle which housestlie tee members. access tothe same .may be had by removing-the cover 121. This is accom ilished by' withdrawing th'e pan 5; Villienltlie latter is shifted backr into" place, the.` side walls 16v will press the sockets 18 into"engagementwith the studs 17 to lock'the cover iirpla'ce'." lf, perchance, one vof the tee members 23 should breakorbe rendered inoperative for any reason, it may be readily'replaced by loosening the set-screwsf22 and` withdrawing the shaft 19from its ysupporting brackets 20. in the event that .the mat 7'shouldi`wear out, a new lill titi

one may be installed in the pan by pressing its .socket members 8LL into engagement With the .studs 8b.

The invention exemplifies a tee device for gol't balls which is adapted primarily to eliminate Wear and tear on the turf of driving greens, and in Which provision is made for supporting the ball holding members so that they may rotate and move universally. The invention also exemplifies a tee device which is ot improved construction and in which provision is made for readily replacing the mat and tee members.

Although the device has been illustrated and described in connection with an outdoor golf course, it is to be understood that it may be adapted 'for use indoors. It is to be understood further that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modiiied Within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

l-laving thus described the invention, What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A tee device comprising a plate having an opening liormed therein, a supporting element disposed beneath the plate, a member movably mounted on said element and having means projecting upwardly through the opening for holding a golf ball, and a receptacle for holding said element and member comprising a cover secured to the plate and provided with depending side Walls and a body member detachably connected to the cover and having` Walls engaging slidably the sidewalls of said cover.

i2. A tee device comprising a plate having an opening formed therein, a supporting ele ment disposed beneath the plate, a member rotatably mounted on said element and having an arm projecting through the opening, the upper end oit' the arm having a golf ball rest atiixed thereto, and a housing for the member and element consisting of a cover secured to the plate and provided with depending side Walls, a body member having Walls engaging slidably the side Walls of the cover, and quickly detachable connections between the side Walls of the cover and bodymember for securing said body-member in connected relation with the cover.

3. it device of the character described for holding or teeing a golf ball during drive thereof, comprising in combination a shaft having a cylindrical portion, means for supporting the shaft in a horizontal position, and a one-piece member comprising a hub rotatably mounted on said cylindrical portion of the shaft, a Weight depending trom the hub operative to hold the member normally in a vertical position and an arm projecting up- `wardly from the hub and having the distal end thereon` shaped to form a cup upon which the ball is adapted to rest loosely, the shaft 

